ORYZA
Training and Workshop

Rationale

The PhilRice-JIRCAS collaborative research project (PJCRP) on the “Application of seasonal climate prediction-based decision support system to improve rainfed rice production in the Philippines” aims to develop, validate, and disseminate the Weather-rice-nutrient integrated decision support system (WeRise) in rainfed rice areas. WeRise is a seasonal climate predictions-based app which was developed by the IRRI-Japan Collaborative Research Project. It provides grain and weather advisories such as the best time to plant, suitable variety for planting, and the optimum timings of fertilizer application. Ultimately, it hopes to improve the livelihood of farmers and contribute to food security goals. 

WeRise integrates seasonal-weather forecast and crop growth models. The seasonal weather predictions are based on the localized outputs of the Scale Interaction Experiment-Frontier (SINTEX-F) Research Center for Global Change developed by Japan’s Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology. Yield predictions are based on recommended sowing and fertilizer application timings using the ORYZA crop modeling tool, which simulates the growth and development of rice as well as water under different conditions, including local weather. 

PhilRice and PAGASA are key stakeholders identified for the uptake and dissemination of WeRise in the Philippines. Capacity building of stakeholders on the operation and maintenance of WeRise is among the activities to sustain project outputs beyond project life. In this context, IRRI’s geospatial modeling team will be conducting the “Modeling workshop for WeRise.”  

Learning objectives

By the end of the workshop, participants are expected to: 

• • • understand the basic operations of ORYZA

    • identify and prepare the input files required for WeRise development/maintenance

    • understand the process/concepts of parameterization and calibration

    • run Oryza and generate outputs